California Transparency

California Transparency

As of April 20, 2015

Darling Ingredients Inc. is proud of our long-standing heritage, which has established a reputation of ethical business conduct that dates back to 1882. Our company has been built through a rich blend of employees, products and services that make a difference in the lives of people all over the world. Our employees share a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity.

In connection with the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010, Darling’s Code of Conduct and Employee Handbook (the “Code”) is the basis for maintaining internal controls and external social compliance accountability standards for employees, contractors, and suppliers in regard to combating violations of laws governing slavery and human trafficking. Our Code requires all Darling employees, including those with responsibility for supply chain management, to know and abide by the terms of our Code, including laws prohibiting human trafficking and slavery.

Darling provides our Code to each of our team members with direct responsibility for supply chain management, so they are better able to identify and mitigate risks associated with violations of laws governing slavery and human trafficking. Management employees must certify they have read, understand, and will comply with the Code. Our company does not provide employees and management with standalone training on human trafficking and slavery.

Darling uses independent third-party auditors who assess Labor Standards, Health & Safety, Environmental, and Ethical Business Practices in our own workplace. The audits result in certifications against the applicable standards. These audits are based on, but not limited to, the International Labor Organization’s Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code and United Nations Global Compact. This is part of our system for maintaining workplace accountability for all Darling employees.

As part of our supplier quality control and compliance practices, Darling requires our suppliers to disclose all facilities producing supplies and materials delivered to our locations for use in manufacturing. We ourselves do not verify or audit, and we typically do not use third parties to audit, or require unannounced third-party audits, of each of our direct suppliers’ facilities on the issues of human trafficking and slavery.

We are currently assessing whether to require our direct suppliers to conduct self-evaluations on various topics, including provision of certifications that such direct suppliers adhere to all laws governing human trafficking and slavery in the countries in which they operate.

Finally, our company maintains an active disclosure system with various avenues for team members and business partners to confidentially report alleged misconduct, including failure to adhere to our Code and suspicions of violations of law. This includes a toll-free helpline and internet-based reporting tool that is accessible worldwide and available in multiple languages. These internal accountability systems should operate to allow us to identify and take action with respect to employees who violate, or threaten to violate, applicable laws governing slavery and human trafficking.

As with any alleged violations of the law or of our Code, we will investigate complaints brought to our attention and consider appropriate action up to, and including, termination for employees, contractors or suppliers found in violation.